Taijuan Walker rejoined Seattle’s rotation Wednesday after spending most of the season on the disabled list and at Triple-A, but after struggling in his start against the Mets the Mariners have sent the 21-year-old rookie back to the minors.

Walker gave up just two runs in five innings, but walked six batters and needed 94 pitches to record 15 outs. He may have stuck around if not for the fact that the Mariners won’t need a fifth starter again until August 2, which allows them to bring up another bench player or reliever while keeping Walker on his normal schedule at Triple-A.

Of course, Walker returning to the big leagues when that fifth starter is needed again is hardly assured.

Rays will not be trading Price this season. They have climbed back into the hunt, and could even win the East. I would be surprised if they do not actually become buyers right now. It would also hurt their lousy attendance if they traded away Price and or Zobrist. The fans would see it as giving up. Price will still get a good return this winter, so the smart thing is hold onto him, and make a push for the playoff’s.

James Paxton is one to two rehab starts away from rejoining the rotation, and is on about the same schedule as the Me fifth starter spot. Have to imagine he’d get first crack at the #5 spot spot before Walker again, provided they’re both in the organization by early August.